Might & Magic Clash of Heroes - NDS - Preview

The Might & Magic franchise has been
around for a very long time, undergoing a variety of changes over the years, and
encompassing a variety of different genres, including role-playing, first-person
shooting, and strategy. Now, for the first DS game in the franchise, Ubisoft are
looking to do things a little more different, putting the series in the
hybridized genre of puzzle-strategy-RPG gameplay. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
is looking to bring puzzle elements to the franchise, and does so by offering
some truly unique and addicting gameplay.

The game’s storyline is pretty
traditional fare for a Might & Magic title, and involves races like Elves,
Necromancers, and Humans in the world of Ashan. The game’s dialogue and
storyline unfold in a distinct manga art style, which lends itself well to the
DS system. The game also allows you to use either the D-Pad or the stylus,
depending on which you are more comfortable with.

The combat in Clash of Heroes is a
pretty unique take on turn-based RPG/strategy gaming. The game grid is divided
into your units on the bottom screen and your opponent’s units on the top
screen. You’re given a set of units, and you’ll have to line up your matching
units (going by unit type and color) in order to perform attacks or form a wall
(defense).

Lining them up vertically will let
you shoot them into your opponent, either destroying some of his units or taking
away a portion of his own HP, while lining them horizontally will form a
difficult to take out wall that will either protect your units or yourself from
enemy attacks. The gameplay is a cross between “Match 3” puzzle gameplay and a
strategy-RPG feel, making for some engaging combat.

Clash of Heroes will allow gamers to
play as five different factions. Each faction in the game has specific bonuses
and weaknesses when it comes to combat. For example, while Elves are very fast
and have quicker turns, they aren’t quite as strong as the other races in the
game. Additionally, their walls have the ability to upgrade automatically, a
trait other races in the game do not possess.

Clash of Heroes is an interesting
take on the strategy-RPG genre, offering addicting combat and a lush storyline
that fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy.